The most recent issue of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that WWE live event attendance in May had dropped from 5,600 last year to 3,900 this year, a 30% decline. Obviously John Cena being out of action this year has hurt attendance. However, it was noted that the "A" and "B" show numbers were roughly identical, even though the "A" shows were headlined by Reigns. The "B" shows were headlined by Ambrose, usually in smaller markets.

"Last month the 'B' shows with Dean Ambrose, that were often in smaller markets, were drawing just as well as the 'A' shows with Roman Reigns," Meltzer noted on last night's episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. "Roman Reigns is drawing really bad. Before he wasn't, but now he is, so now it's an issue. Does that mean that it led to this [title change], or is this just another way to get Roman Reigns more over, because that's been the goal for the last however long? Time will tell."